State challenges HRDC injunction, insists on plans to lockdown Malawi
Malawi government through the office of the Attorney General has filed to High Court to vacate the injunction which temporarily barred the government from implementing a 21-day lockdown to curb coronavirus following a petition by a human rights group.
One of the lawyers at the Attorney General’s chambers, Neverson Chisiza filed the application to discharge leave for judicial review and vacate the injunction so that the country can go into a and restrict its population’s movements.
Chisiza’s application relies heavily on a a sworn statement by Minister of Health Jappie Mhango that the lockdown measure was declared lawfully.
He also argues that the lockdown under a State of Disaster declared by President Peter Mutharika will not abrogate people’s rights like a State of Emergency.
Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda last Friday set aside the lockdown in response to a challenge by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), which argued that more consultation was needed to prevent harm to the poorest and most vulnerable of society.
In his sworn statement the Health minister Mhango, who chairs Malawi’s cabinet committee overseeing its response to the pandemic, has stated that government has put in place cushions for the people, mostly from the informal sector.
Government contends the lockdown is the way to save lives by minimising further spread of the coronavirus.
Malawi has so far confirmed just 23 cases, including three deaths, but President Peter Mutharika has warned that without locking down the country, the virus could kill around 50,000.
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Lockdown is important to our society but it seems that whoever started it did not know the real meaning of Lock down. Winning elections out of these issues is wrong: stealing money meant for Corona virus patients and others enjoy and benefit out the sudden sickness. God is there looking at you and you will be rewarded out of it. We definitely agree that Coronavirus is in the country but the government has exaggerated the disease running away from Elections. The Judges have different books to read for the any case. We really know that for the past years you… Read more »
why removing injunction and pressing for lockdown, is this running away from elections. may be.
MEC announced the date to recieve nomination papers to be on May 2nd as to give room for lockdown. koma sidzitheka za lockdown. Campaign period has to b for two months soon after the reciept of nomination papers. We were told that MEC will follow the law indeed so what is this.
Relax, Govt has withdrawn the application to challenge the injuction. You have won!!!
Lockdown ayikakamiratu. How can you come up with lockdown when boarders are open.
A Banda, you have lockdown is one way of running Elections because the guy knows well that he will get 38 votes this time plus that of Atupere. Angowadyera ndalama am’dalawo.
Where are boarders open?
Looking at the activities happening in our markets, A Truck loaded with passengers even in South Africa People fighting to receive food.
Social distance is just a mere talk.
Ndipo muthokoze Kenyatta for that injunctuon, otherwise by now more than 30 police and army officers would have wounded or killed already. Nkhondo ikanakhala ya nyooooo. Chotsani injunction yo muonanso momwe Mmalawi amachitira akanyangala.. DPP ilibe pothawira, chipulumutso chili pa 02 July, pomwe tisiyane nanu kuonanso zintchito za enawa. Tithana nanu mpaka munya ku mpweeee!!!!!!!!
Y not mentioning their names? They said area 25 market should be opened fr 6_14 hrs now will this caution can help to prevent fr covid19?
I think.the.majority of people.who.comments on Nyasatimes are either stupid, uneducated or Tumbukas.
So which one of the 3 are you?
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo munyabe
Why wasting time challenging the obvious. Almost all countries in the world have locked down. And these are countries where human rights started and they never challenged the lockdown. Govt should just sit and watch. HRDS will remove the injunction on their own.
these countries provide food to there citizens
Kaphele and whoever call else, don’t play with our lives and survival. Have you seen what is happening in countries where there is a lockdown? Is social distance being observed when people scramble for food.
You have a political agenda when you want a lockdown lifted. In fact you are a selfish and bad person who only think about yourself and your DPP
Koma anthu awa satopa nkuluza milandu eti?